LP-627

Ramsey Lewis And His Gentle-men Of Jazz - Volume 2

Released 1958

Recording and Session Information

Sheldon Recording Studio, Chicago, February 9, 1958
Ramsey Lewis, piano; Eldee Young, bass; Redd Holt, drums

I Get a Kick Out Of You
Please Send Someone to Love
Brother John
Black is the Color of my true love's hair
It Ain't Necessarily So
Seven Valleys
On the Street Where You Live
Delilah

Delilah	Nicholis	February 9 1958
I Get A Kick Out Of You	Porter	February 9 1958
Please Send Me Someone To Love	Mayfield	February 9 1958
Brother John	Trad, arr. Lewis	February 9 1958
Black Is The Color	Trad, arr. Lewis	February 9 1958
It Ain't Necessarily So	Gershwin	February 9 1958
Seven Valleys	Katz	February 9 1958
On The Street Where You Live	Lerner, Loewe	February 9 1958

Liner Notes

Too often we find the enthusiasm of youth falling pathetically behind the complacency of experience when it comes to music...Very rarely are the two combined...The three young men who comprise the Ramsey Lewis Trio have an average age of 24, hence their youthful enthusiasm...Their combined musical training; 45 years...They are YOUNG MUSICIANS, rather than young men who play music...It is unthinkable that any one of them could have been anything other than a musician, and the fact that they are young is the listeners good fortune.

And right here seems to be a good place to discuss the theory that only experience and can give an artist "soul".

I for one, am forever more tired of the word, but it seems in this day and age you even need soul to eat your morning cereal, and Heaven forbid, an album that doesn't discuss it.

To me, a person's soul is a purely personal matter and cannot be transmitted from one person to another, and any man who is dedicated to, and in love with his work always puts his soul in his work, so to speak...In the case of a musician, his soul is exposed EVERY time he offers his art...Therefore, the degree to which this album is appreciated, or any art for that matter, is simply a reflection of oneself...In other words, it isn't so much a question of what, or how much an artist puts into his work...instead it depends on your depth of appreciation and understanding...I realize that this theory throws the whole question of "soul/' back in the lap of the layman, but isn't that where it really belongs?

From a technical viewpoint, I couldn't begin to tell you why you should listen to this album...Oh, I COULD tell you, but I have read some comments by people supposedly "in the know", and I tell you...all the nuts weren't on trees that year...Therefore, I will make no attempt to tell you what I think of the tunes contained in this album, instead I will tell very briefly why these particular ones were chosen. on trees that year...

SIDE l.
The arrangement of "I GET A KICK OUT OF YOU" was adapted to the sensitive, creativeness of drummer, Red Holt, who using only his fingertips, displays melodic qualities seldom heard in drums.

DELILAH
As in the movie Samson and Delilah, this tune is intended to transport the listener backwards into the realm of pomp and glitter, lavish feasts, dancing girls and all the resplendent living of ancient times.

BROTHER JOHN
Most of us can recall this French folk melody from our early school days. It could be called a "fun" tune whose happy lilt appeals to almost everyone.

PLEASE SEND ME SOMEONE TO LOVE
This Percy Mayfield blues ballad is one of the most frequently requested tunes in the clubs were the trio appears and seems reason enough for it to have been included in this album.

IT AIN'T NECESSARILY SO
This features bassist, Eldee Young with proof positive that his nomination in the 1957 Downbeat Critic's poll was well deserved.

SEVEN VALLEYS
A composition written especially for the Ramsey Lewis Trio by a close friend who has greatly inspired the trio. The composer, Fred Katz, cellist, formerly with the Chico Hamilton Quintet has described as the emotional upheavals of a man, in self-imposed solitude, who is searching, remembering, doubting, hoping and despairing, but finds serenity of spirit in the end.

BLACK IS THE COLOR
Another folk tune that was selected to display the trio as a unit, rather than featuring one particular instrument.

ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE
The "My Fair Lady" craze brought many requests for music from that show. One night the fellows went into a huddle and came up with an on-the-spot arrangement of On The Street. It was so well received, they decided to leave the arrangement just as it was, and even now, it continues to be one of the most often requested numbers by patrons of the Cloister Inn, Delaware & Rush, in Chicago where the trio is currently appearing.

LINER NOTES
By MARCHETA FOSTER
CHICAGO, ILL.
RECORDING STUDIOS, INC.

RECORDED; FEB. 9, 1958
STUDIO—SHELDON RECORDING
ENGINEER—J. WIENER
MUSICAL ARR. RAMSEY LEWIS